The state Cabinet on Saturday granted ex-post facto approval for the reconstitution of a Cabinet sub-committee related to pending arrears of revised pay, pensions, leave encashment and dearness allowance (DA).The committee will consider payment of arrears arising from revised pay and pension benefits between January 1, 2016, and June 30, 2021, besides examining pending DA and dearness relief dues from July 1, 2021, to March 31, 2024. The panel will also study issues related to DA and dearness relief for various categories of employees and pensioners.To ensure faster disposal of corruption cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, the Cabinet also approved the establishment of seven Exclusive Special Courts across Punjab. Three courts will be established in SAS Nagar, while one court each will be set up in Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Amritsar and Patiala.Approval was also given to the creation of seven posts of Additional District and Sessions Judges along with 63 supporting staff positions for the functioning of these courts.The Cabinet also green-lit amendments to Rules 7, 10, 12 and Appendix ‘B’ of the Punjab Superior Judicial Service Rules, 2007. The proposed amendments are aimed at providing promotion-related benefits to serving superior judicial officers in Punjab and are expected to strengthen career progression opportunities within the state’s judicial services.